National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

NSFAS Sets the Record Straight on Budget Constraints

DECEPTIVE: The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has dismissed claims, allegedly originating from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), that it is facing budget constraints. Photo: Supplied

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has cleared its name following claims circulating on social media, allegedly originating from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), that it was facing budget constraints. The message in question further claimed that NSFAS had closed its 2025 registration portal due to these purported financial challenges. NSFAS has dismissed… Continue reading NSFAS Sets the Record Straight on Budget Constraints

Mass Student Eviction Threats After NSFAS Fails to Pay Private Accommodation Service Providers

Hundreds of students in several institutions of higher learning across the country are on edge after the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) said payments to service providers providing accommodation would be delayed. The announcement is contained in a letter dated 24 March 2025 which was sent to the service providers by Waseem Carrim, NSFAS’s… Continue reading Mass Student Eviction Threats After NSFAS Fails to Pay Private Accommodation Service Providers

Climbing the Glass Cliff: Why We Must Rally Behind Our New NSFAS Chairwoman

MATRIC RESULTS DEBATE: South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. The writer says while the tradition of publishing of matric results symbolizes transparency and accountability, it takes the psychological toll on learners.

South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also… Continue reading Climbing the Glass Cliff: Why We Must Rally Behind Our New NSFAS Chairwoman

UNISA Academic Dr Karen Stander Appointed New NSFAS Board Chairperson

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has described Dr Karen Stander’s appointment as chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board as an indication that its staff and graduates are among the sought after industry leaders in the country and beyond. Dr Stander, a senior lecturer in UNISA’s College of Economic and Management… Continue reading UNISA Academic Dr Karen Stander Appointed New NSFAS Board Chairperson

UKZN Student’s Life Ruined After Being Fraudulently Declared Dead To Claim Capitec Bank Funeral Policy

FUNERAL POLICY FRAUD: Capitec Bank closed UKZN student Thandeka Majola’s account after she was fraudulently declared dead. Photo: Facebook

A 27-year-old University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student from Durban has had her life turned upside down after she was fraudulently declared dead to cash out a funeral policy with Capitec Bank. Thandeka Majola only discovered that she was a walking dead woman on December 27, 2023, when she tried to transfer money to her Capitec… Continue reading UKZN Student’s Life Ruined After Being Fraudulently Declared Dead To Claim Capitec Bank Funeral Policy

Wits, UFS Universities Return R800 Million In Unallocated Funds To NSFAS

NSFAS board chairperson Ernest Khoza said the protests were disturbing as the fund introduced improvements favouring students.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed two prominent South African universities’ payment of R800 million back to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of the Free State (UFS) paid the NSFAS R450 million and R438 million, respectively, following an investigation by the SIU. Kaizer Kganyago,… Continue reading Wits, UFS Universities Return R800 Million In Unallocated Funds To NSFAS

Ramaphosa’s Tintswalo Narrative Backfires

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been met with criticism from South African political parties and social media users, who have expressed their skepticism towards his portrayal of a prosperous country. On Thursday, February 8, 2024, Ramaphosa delivered his final SONA for the sixth parliament but delivered what detractors called an… Continue reading Ramaphosa’s Tintswalo Narrative Backfires

NSFAS Defends Direct Payment System After Student Protests

Following a week of violent protests involving students from various universities nationwide, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has come out in defence of its newly introduced eZaga direct payment system. Last week, students from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the University of Limpopo, and the University of Venda protested outside the offices… Continue reading NSFAS Defends Direct Payment System After Student Protests